Headteacher’s Welcome

'A happy, welcoming school in which pupils blossom.'

These were the words of HMI Joanne Olsson during her feedback to the Governors and Leadership Team of Webster at the end of her inspection in January 2016, and we were delighted to hear them. If you are not familiar with us, we are an all inclusive school in Moss Side, Manchester. We welcome children of all races and faiths, languages and cultures, and are famous for doing so. We also have Resourced Provision for 7 pupils with Autism. We are a very popular school whose results have risen steadily over a period of years. Our 2015 SAT's results placed us 1st of all Manchester schools in Reading, Writing, Maths and Combined Subjects, and 7th nationally, of all 21,310 schools in England for Value Added Pupil Progress for Combined Subjects. Children who are with us for a full Key Stage 2 generally attain levels higher than the national average.

Welcome to our website. We hope it gives you a flavour of life at our school and all the information you need. Do get in touch if you have any queries. Please do look at our Twitter feed and YouTube channel for further snapshots.

Our most recent Ofsted inspection graded us as good and noted several outstanding features. This was the third 'good' judgement in a row for the school. In 2011 the 'quality of pupils’ learning and their progress’ was graded ‘outstanding’ along with six other features.

These are exciting times for Webster (but when was it ever different?). We have been in a process of expansion from a one-form entry school over the last few years. We are currently designated as a three form entry school. As of September 2017 we are three-form entry in Reception and Key Stage 1 and Year 3 and two-form in Years 4-6.

On April 1st 2013 Webster converted to Academy status after a long period of consideration and consultation. We are not connected to any Trust or Federation but are self-governed.

We are part of a group of seven schools in Moss Side, Hulme and Whalley Range called The Heart Of Manchester Partnership who work collaboratively on school improvement.

Our building has undergone a complete re-modelling, refurbishment and re-roofing to create a carefully planned environment which is much more suitable for 21st century education than the original 1973 design. It includes an Art Room and Music Room as well as a state of the art School Library with a stunning selection of books and computerised lending service.

The spacious grounds feature an Outdoor Classroom, a Forest School area, an all weather sports pitch, a school garden/wildlife area and we have plans for more development.

We may very well be biased, but Webster children are the funniest, keenest to learn, kindest and loveliest bunch we know. They are simply the best to work with. The teachers and teaching assistants are also talented, dedicated, passionate and highly trained. We’re lucky to have them.

We pay rigorous attention to the core skills of English and Mathematics. Most other subjects are taught through the cross curricular themes which have evolved and developed over the last 5 years. As an academy we have the opportunity to shape the curriculum that is right for our own school community. We promote a unique entitlement to learning across The Arts, built on a special relationship with Manchester Camerata, one of Europe’s leading Chamber Orchestras, and the work of visiting instrumental tutors and Artists in Education.

We were very proud to achieve the SSAT Educational Outcomes Award 2014 and 2015 for our children's outstanding progress and this lovely letter from the Rt Hon David Laws MP.

The other awards we hold are reflective of our every day work over a long period of time; the Artsmark and International Schools Award demonstrate our commitment to the arts and a global dimension to our learning. The CDQS is the latest in a long line of Inclusion and Diversity kitemarks which we have held. We were one of the very first Primary Schools in the country to achieve the Diamond Level of this award.

We promote a great range of trips and enrichment activities to add further depth and colour to our curriculum, including strong links with local cultural organisations and schools.

Our learning has achieved local, national and European accolades in recent years. Two of our Year 6 pupils won the National Holocaust Centre's national art competition in July 2015. Year 6's Horrors Of War project was featured on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour programme (November 2013). The 'Our Moss Side' collaboration with Manchester Academy and St Mary's Primary was reported in the Manchester Evening News (July 2013). Webster was the subject of a spread in the 'Eduzine' magazine (May 2013) and our Nursery e-twinning project with a Polish school scooped both the British Council/Comenius UK and European e-twinning awards for 2013.

There are links on this site to the work of our Learning Ambassadors, while we develop new approaches to pupil voice over the next year.

You can also read about the fascinating history of Webster Primary School and Webster Street School. We are proud of our heritage in this community which stretches back to the 19th century and the legendary ‘playground on the roof.’ Perhaps you are an ex-pupil. If you have any comments or memories of being at school, feel free to email them to head@webster.manchester.sch.uk. We have close links with many old pupils from the 1950’s onwards.

You’ll be able to see some of the things we do by clicking on the various links, but what most visitors comment on is the warm atmosphere and the family feel to our building. That’s tricky to feel through a website; so you’d better come and visit us to see what we mean. If you are considering sending your child to our warm and friendly school, please give us a call!